An anonymous donor’s $30 million gift is bringing upgraded veterinary care to Elmwood Park Zoo in the form of a revised, onsite animal hospital.

The donation will also aid in the construction of a new welcome center.

Both projects are part of the zoo’s 2024 centennial celebration, for which a $150-million renovation plan will refresh and expand the Norristown tourism staple.

The Hospital

At over 17,000 square feet, the animal hospital will be one of the largest and most advanced exotic animal care facilities in the nation. Its multiple exam rooms, treatment centers, quarantine facilities, recovery wards, and surgical suites will be outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment.

Giant glass viewing bays will provide guests with an insider’s look at the hospital’s daily activities. Everything from select medical procedures to diet preparations will be on public display, further emphasizing the high level of care the zoo’s animals receive.

Welcome Center

In addition to the hospital, the building will host the zoo’s welcome center, featuring ticket windows, educational displays, and a gift shop.

Guest amenities that focus on accessibility and inclusivity will provide visitors with a comfortable and inviting environment. An additional floor inside the building will add over a dozen administrative offices and meeting spaces.

“Follow My Lead”

The anonymous donor, a local entrepreneur with strong ties to Norristown, intended his contribution to be the leading gift toward the zoo’s master plan. He commented on his action, saying, “It was made as an effort for other Montgomery County philanthropists to follow [my] lead and get involved.”

Al Zone, Elmwood Park Zoo’s Executive Director and CEO, said: “It’s beyond humbling to receive such a transformative and generous gift.

“This donation comes at a crucial moment for the zoo. On the verge of our 100th anniversary, [it] allows us to extend our exceptional veterinary care to an increasing number of species, and it provides us with a means to build an entrance that can accommodate the large number of guests who visit us each year.

“It’s the most important piece of a plan from which all of our other plans will be made possible,” he concluded.

VFTCB

Elmwood Park Zoo has a long-standing and close relationship with the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board, provider of this animal hospital announcement to MONTCO.Today.